Victoria and Albert's Questions

[Jamian]

Hi everybody!

I'm hoping someone here can help me out. My fiancee and I are going to WDW for our honeymoon in August 2008. I was thinking it would be nice to take her to Victoria and Albert's. Here's where my questions begin. We're both quite picky (ie: neither of us eat any kind of seafood and we don't eat any 'weird' meats: lamb, duck, etc. Basically we like to stick with beef, pork, and chicken). For those of you that have been there, please share some of your knowledge. I've looked at some sample menus and they're loaded with things we probably wouldn't eat. I know they personalize menus, so can I give them these requests ahead of time and hope for the best? Or should we skip it?

Thanks!

 

[engle]

Honestly, I wouldn't waste my money on V&A if you're too picky and not willing to try anything else. I just looked over my menu from the last time I was there and the first 4 of 7 courses would have NOTHING you would eat on them. I remember the amuse bouche and it was seafood and all the other courses were seafood or "weird" meats.

I personally LOVE V&A and I am an adventurous eater so it is a must do for every trip....onto the Chefs Table!!!

There are plenty of other FANCY (albeit not as fancy as V&A) restaurants on property to choose from. I would go somewhere else.

 

[wendy46001]

While i love the place, its not for everyone
honestly i say skip it, if you are looking at the menu and think its to fancy or to weird spend your money elsewhere....why not do two signature dinners where you like the food instead of one night of "what is that"

 

[Booyakasha]

I agree with the above. This is not the place for you.

B.

 

[Pakey]

It's definitely not a great place for non-adventurous eaters. Perhaps the Yachtsman Steakhouse at the Yacht Club might be something you would both enjoy a lot more.

 

[Quinn222]

Adding to the chorus here, skip it. It just doesn't sound like your thing. How about Citricos? It's right next door, also romantic and pretty and there are some 'plain' choices on the menu.

 

[Jamian]

Alright, thanks everyone. I guess I thought maybe they would somewhat work with us on the menu. On allears, there are a couple of samples for "people that do not prefer seafood." That's kind of what I was hoping for. To be honest, I wouldn't mind trying the 'weird' meats but we really can't do the seafood. Thanks again!

 

[abolanwoski]

I'm going to be the dissenting voice here and say, in the words of the great Dr. Suess "Try them, try them, you may see". If you are a "picky" eater, this doesn't mean you won't like different things that are phenomenally prepared. If you really have an aversion to fish/seafood, just tell them you are allergic before hand. As far as "wierd" meats, some of the best meat I've ever had has been pheasant, kangaroo and crocodile. It's not what the meat is, but how it's prepared that determines how it tastes. Anything that you taste and actually dislike, you can send back to the kitchen and they'll sub something else (at these prices, why not?)

 

[Lynne M]

I don't doubt that V&A's would adjust the entrees to your taste, but if you're going to have them turn their entrees into something that you can get anywhere, then it will be a colossal waste of money for you.

I'm going to use an extreme example here, but if you ask them to make you a plain filet mignon and baked potato with sour cream and butter....then it's not really V&A's menu, and there's no point in paying V&A's prices for it. You can get the same thing at nearly any WDW table service place for a third of the cost. The only reason to eat at V&A is to sample the special dishes that their chefs prepare.

There are many great fine dining places on property that are ideal for a special occasion like a honeymoon. Citricos, Yachtsman's Steakhouse, California Grill, Shula's, Jiko, Artist Point....I'm sure there are others that I can't think of at the moment. You could eat at any two of them, for what you'd pay at V&As, and find plenty of things you'd both like on the menu, instead of having to negotiate the contents of every course at V&A.

 

[3for Me]

I don't doubt that V&A's would adjust the entrees to your taste, but if you're going to have them turn their entrees into something that you can get anywhere, then it will be a colossal waste of money for you.

I'm going to use an extreme example here, but if you ask them to make you a plain filet mignon and baked potato with sour cream and butter....then it's not really V&A's menu, and there's no point in paying V&A's prices for it. You can get the same thing at nearly any WDW table service place for a third of the cost. The only reason to eat at V&A is to sample the special dishes that their chefs prepare.

There are many great fine dining places on property that are ideal for a special occasion like a honeymoon. Citricos, Yachtsman's Steakhouse, California Grill, Shula's, Jiko, Artist Point....I'm sure there are others that I can't think of at the moment. You could eat at any two of them, for what you'd pay at V&As, and find plenty of things you'd both like on the menu, instead of having to negotiate the contents of every course at V&A.

This is sort of my thought on the situation. I think you would be much better off doing a couple of other TS restaurants for the price you would pay at V & A's. I would hate for you to be disappointed in such an expensive meal on your honeymoon.

 

[PictureJumpr]

Have you considered Narcoosee's? It is also at the GF, and has always been a lovely romantic experience. Their menu is a little more mainstream than V&A.

With advance notice of your occasion, they will prepare personal printed menus and even can put photos on them - these are their regular menu specially printed with your names, dates, photos...

It isn't 'personalized' in the sense that the one at V&A is, that is to say they do not tailor a seven-course tasting menu for you - but it is a nice personal touch.

They won't bring your new wife a rose at the end of the evening, either, but they will bring her a pastry slipper with a message from you in the icing on the plate.... again, with a little advance notice.

 

[Pakey]

Have you considered Narcoosee's? It is also at the GF, and has always been a lovely romantic experience. Their menu is a little more mainstream than V&A.

With advance notice of your occasion, they will prepare personal printed menus and even can put photos on them - these are their regular menu specially printed with your names, dates, photos...

It isn't 'personalized' in the sense that the one at V&A is, that is to say they do not tailor a seven-course tasting menu for you - but it is a nice personal touch.

They won't bring your new wife a rose at the end of the evening, either, but they will bring her a pastry slipper with a message from you in the icing on the plate.... again, with a little advance notice.

Since you do not like fish or seafood, I would hardly recommend Narcoosies as it is primarily a fish and seafood restaurant. There are some much better choices than this for your food preferences.

 

[PictureJumpr]

Primarily, okay, but not entirely - my SO does not touch seafood either and we have lovely dinners there.

He orders the filet mignon almost every time, or the chicken.

I myself, though I personally love seafood, have ordered non-seafood dinners there.

 

[Pakey]

Yes, but if you want to eat steak there are a ton of places that serve a better one than Narcoosies. And while Narcoosies does have some items other than seafood, the choices are significantly limited because it is a fish/seafood restaurant. I would think going to a restaurant that specializes in something other than fish/seafood would be a better choice. There is Ca Grill, JIKO, Yachtsman, Le Cellier, Artist Pointe, Bistro de Paris, etc. that would be at least as nice of an atmosphere as Narcoosies but with a wider variety of menu options fitted to OP's tastes.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Jamian: Most nights there are only 4 entrees on the menu, and only one of those is a steak filet.The fish course itself is something you wouldn't eat, so you'd miss out on that course entirely. And often one of the appetizers (both hot and cold) involves seafood, so you would have no appetizer choice.
You can always try calling and see what actual adjustments could be made, but since they have a limited menu to begin with, there probably isn't much they can do.

 

[laura forbes]

I hate fish and I am not the most adventurous of eaters but I loved V and A's.

Me and my DF went on the night we got engaged.

They will not change the menus for you before hand but they will try to accomodate you while you are there. I could choose something for each course except obviously the dedicated fish course but they gave me the most wonderful butternut squash soup in its place it was lovely. Some of the other courses I chose I would never have asked for elsewhere but I went with an open mind and have to say I really enjoyed everything I tried.

So my advice is if your heart is set on going go with an open mind you may surprise yourself and find you do like other dishes.

 

[Dictator]

I went to V&A and sat at the Chefs Table. I told them I don't like seafood. They were more than accomodating. I don't like mushrooms either, but I didn't tell them that because I didn't want to push my luck. Some of the dishes they served had mushrooms, but the way they were prepared was heavenly. I say step outside your comfort zone and try something you've never had. I was 99% certain I hated squash. Until I had the Butternut Squash Creme.

 

[mum4jenn]

Shula's at The Swan is WONDERFUL!!!! They are primarily beef (does have other things as well ) BUt the service is probably just as swanky as V& A's. We even had guys that all they did was sweep the crumbs off the table!! LOL!!

 

[Cobbo]

Respectfully, I must disagree with the majority of the responders so far. I definitely think it would be worth your time to visit V&A's, and they WILL accommodate your requests without ANY problems. All you have to do is let them know when you make your reservation and they will actually give you a phone number to speak with the Chef ahead of time and they will adjust the menu specifically to fit your tastes. I know this b/c I just ate there in August and both myself & my DW have our own food quirks (DW will only eat steaks when it comes to meat and will not eat veal, buffalo, ostrich, liver, duck, etc), and I don't eat pork and abhor anything with truffle oil, but they adjusted the menus without any problem and we LOVED the meal - definitely something we will do again. I still have our menus which I can scan in if you'd like to see them, just PM me...

 

[OKW Mom]

Yes, I tried the buffalo. It was amazing-I'll probably never find another serving like it.

I do not eat fish, and do not remember gaving it forced on me.

Since you are old enough to marry....it is time to try new foods!

In 25 years of marriage I have broadened my husband's food interests (and he returned the favor!)

Your meal will be the very best quality so try the best when you can!

If you are not quite brave enough, Narcoosie's was a marvelous experience (9/07).
Best wishes on your marvelous adventure!